Annie Dressner

Annie Dressner is a singer-songwriter, originally from New York City but now living in Cambridge, UK. Brimming with razor sharp wit, emotional poignancy and glorious melodies, Annie’s straightforward lyrical style, smart wordplay and lilting vocals offer listeners a front row seat to her captivating stories.

Annie has released four studio albums and her music has been played extensively across UK national radio, including recording a live session for Gideon Coe on BBC 6 Music. Her recent single “For The Thrill Of It” features Kathryn Williams and is a scathing commentary about sexual harassment within the music industry. The track received critical acclaim and was played on Steve Lamacq’s show and multiple times by Gideon Coe and Marc Riley on BBC 6Music, with Marc Riley saying: “To these ears, perfect pop music. I adore that.”  The song was also noted by Ann Powers from NPR Music, who hailed Annie’s showcase for Folk Alliance in Montreal as pick of the night.

Annie has toured extensively in the UK, most recently on a 16-date support slot with acclaimed UK Americana band Danny and the Champions of the World (Loose). She has also played shows with Badly Drawn Boy and Bernard Butler (Suede), and festivals such as Green Man, Secret Garden Party and Cambridge Folk Festival. She was one of the break-out performers at AmericanaFest UK 2025 in Hackney, where she played to a packed room at Oslo. She is due to play Truck Festival this summer and has headline club dates scheduled for November.

Dressner has completed work on her forthcoming 5th studio album, recorded with renowned singer-songwriter Peter Bruntnell at his studio in Kingston. It consists of twelve original songs written by Annie - with two co-writes with Matt Owens of Noah and the Whale and singer-songwriter David Ford. It features Peter Bruntnell and members of his band (Mick Clews & Pete Noone of The Cross) as well as guest musicians such as Eric Heywood (The Pretenders) on pedal steel, Steve Brookes (Danny and the Champions of the World) on drums, Paul Goodwin on keys and Sean Duggan of Steady Habits on backing vocals.

Having started singing from a very young age, Annie used music to process her feelings and thoughts about life. She recorded her first album whilst in NYC but following the sudden tragic death of her mother, she moved to England and had to start from scratch. She spent the first year reading (and emailing everyone in) The Unsigned Guide, and playing any show that she could. With grit and determination she released four further albums, numerous singles and EPs.  With universal themes of love and loss, her next album is a dramatic step up for Annie, whose emotional intelligence and remarkable songwriting skills have been honed to the next level, to reveal a startlingly assured selection of some of the finest indie pop folk songs you are likely to hear this year.

"Dressner is able to paint visceral images and transport the listener to the world of the song. American Songwriter

"Annie is a breath of fresh air. LOVE HER WORK." 

Marc Riley, BBC Radio 6 Music

...This album is low key one of the best pop releases." Paste Magazine

“Fortunately, she’s an artist worth seeking out." Apple Music

"It's reminding us of early Lucinda and Mary Lou Lord and Jenny Lewis and it makes us want to swing off the back off a milk float and sing it at the tops of our voices."

Holler Spotlight Song of the Week

Annie teaches songwriting similar to how someone teaches essay writing.  What are you trying to say?  How are you trying to say it?  How many ways can we convey what we are trying to say?  What is the best way to do it?  Is there even a best way to do it?  Is there an emotional need to express what you are saying -- or are you writing a song to create an emotional response?  What is the purpose?

Annie helps you delve into your truth behind the meaning of each song you write, helping her students answer questions and ultimately winding up with a song.  

A song is not finished until you feel it is - and there is no way to rush that process and have it be a meaningful song.